A History of Chinese Literature
Book by Herbert Giles / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A History of Chinese Literature is a history of Chinese literature written by Herbert Giles and published in 1901.
Author | Herbert Giles |
---|---|
Language | English |
Subject | History |
Publication date | 1901 |
Publication place | British |
Pages | 448 |
Although there had been surveys of Chinese literature in Japanese, it was the first such survey to appear in English.[1] In his preface, Giles claims that such a work of history was not already available, even in Chinese, [2] since Chinese scholars realized the "utter hopelessness" of "achieving even comparative success in a general historical survey of the subject". But he adds that "It may be said without offence that a work which would be inadequate to the requirements of a native public, may properly be submitted to English readers as an introduction into the great field which lies beyond". A large part of the book is devoted to translations, "enabling the Chinese author, so far as is possible, to speak for himself".[3]